Team Zero Series 1-3 Boxed Set

by Rina Kent

  I refuse to even consider that possibility.

  “They’re planning to hand you over to Johnny, dammit!” he snaps. “I won’t allow that. Even if I have to bring in my men and break down Le Salon to get you back, got it? I don’t give a bollocks about being fired or sued.” His harsh breaths filter through the phone before his voice softens. “After Zoe, you’re my only family, Rage Ball. I can’t lose you as well.”

  My heart warms, but my mind is already made up. “I won’t let them hand me over to Johnny.”

  “How will you do that?”

  “Listen, I will only return to get the security footage. I found archives of surveillance cameras, so I will steal the ones that go back to Zoe’s disappearance and I’m out. Promise.”

  Silence. It’s long enough that my legs start bouncing.

  I need Liam on board. He can’t send his men and ruin what I came here for. Even if it’s for my protection. He worked so hard to become what he is. Law and order is his way of countering the streets. His dream. I can’t have him ruin his career for me.

  After what seems like forever, he says in a calculative tone, “What if they decide to give you to Johnny right away?”

  “I will escape. I won’t let them take me.”

  “I’m not comfortable about this, Elle.”

  “Let me do this, Liam.” I lighten my tone. “If all fails, you can bring your mates and bust Le Salon. Deal?”

  He groans but makes an affirmative sound. Then his voice drifts in that clipped no-nonsense tone. “Be careful. Call if anything happens. If I suspect anything, I will raid. No negotiations.”

  After he hangs up, I remain in place, catching my breath and calming myself. The night’s chill draws goosebumps on my skin. I hug my arms then release them. What the hell is this vulnerable gesture?

  I jump to my feet and pace back and forth. Perhaps no one noticed I was gone from Le Salon, but to be safe, I need a suitable lie once I return.

  I needed air is a good one. Because, yes, I did need air to think this whole mess through.

  Drunken footsteps sound behind me. I turn around and come face to face with two men. Leather jackets cover their torsos as they lean against each other, mumbling.

  They’re tall, but they aren’t big. To my advantage, they’re also so drunk, they can’t walk in a straight line.

  “Hey there, babe. Wha’are ye doing ‘ere this late? Wanna shag?” One of them slurs and reaches for me.

  I launch an uppercut straight to his chin. He staggers backwards, howling.

  The sting of my bare knuckles against his bones hurts, but it’s a pain I welcome. I need to vent this energy at someone and these bastards were asking for it.

  “You li’le whore.” His friend lunges at me, and he’s damn fast for a drunk. He clutches me by the collar of the dress, and it nearly rips under his force. I grab his shoulders to knee his crotch. He twists my dominant hand in his fist and almost crushes it.

  Pain shoots through my bones.

  “You fucking slut.” He snarls, almost breaking my arm. I wince and right cross his cheekbone. He staggers backwards. I take the opening, yank my arm free, and launch an uppercut and another. He’s not even protecting himself.

  Pent-up energy rushes through me, and I relish in the momentum. Right cross. A hook. An uppercut. Over and over again. Until my knuckles explode with pain and adrenaline pulses through my veins.

  He falls to the ground. His friend drags him away from me, and they’re soon stumbling back.

  “Yeah, run away!” I yell, my fists still drawn in front of me.

  The humming energy is still rushing inside me, demanding more release. It’s been so damn long since I unleashed my anger. Now, my body wants more.

  I’m panting, stance wide, fists tucked under my chin, ready to punch the living daylights out of someone. Anyone. I desperately need to purge these pent-up feelings.

  Because the alternative, thoughts about Zoe’s death and Julian’s betrayal are about to crush my chest.

  “Bloody wankers!” I shout at the drunken men, who are disappearing out of view, and kick the pebbles away. “Come back and fight me!”

  “I doubt they ever would.”

  I don’t think. I whirl around and swing my fist straight at his face. Pain shreds my knuckles when I catch his jaw. I gasp and step backwards, but I keep my defensive stance.

  Julian stares down at me with more relief than pain. It’s like he didn’t feel the punch that almost cracked my bones.

  He didn’t duck or stop me. It’s like he wanted me to vent my anger.

  Once again, he didn’t even make a sound when approaching. He’s standing a few inches away, in that agile but relaxed posture. One hand is in his trousers’ pockets and the other rests by his side, from which tattoos are peeking. He’s only in a white shirt that strains against his muscles and is tucked around his slender waist.

  The tears I’ve held the entire night threaten to spill. Just seeing him fills me with all these fuzzy emotions. He shouldn’t belong in my world.

  Or I in his.

  Then, the realisation hits me. He’s taking me back to Ghost. He’s only here because of Mist and Ghost’s orders.

  I’m now looking at a member of the mafia. My grim reaper.

  A bitter taste of betrayal explodes in my veins. I can’t help thinking about how I came apart in his arms an hour ago.

  Now, he’s come to kill me.

  My spine jerks upright. I swallow my tears and tuck my fists under my chin. If he thinks I’m going down without a fight, then he has another thing coming.

  “Good punch, Firefly.” His lips twitch in the closest thing to a smile Julian can offer.

  “You want another one?” I pull my fists in front of my face and don’t wait for his response. The hurt and betrayal gnawing through me translate into a punch. This time, Julian catches it mid-air. I try to duck, but he twists my arm behind my back and turns me around so his chest is glued to my back. His strong hand locks my other arm over my breast.

  I struggle to wiggle free, but his hold is steel-like. Add his overwhelming heat, and I’m a frustrated ball of emotions.

  “Enough punching for one day,” he whispers the hot words against my ears, and a shiver runs through me. “Let’s go back.”

  “So you would deliver me to Johnny on a golden platter?” Hurt and anger shoot through my words. “Didn’t take you long to toss me aside after claiming I’m yours.”

  “Elle...” He trails off, voice hardened.

  “Go back to your Mist.” I can’t believe I’m bringing up my jealousy at a moment like this. “The flavour of the week will be shipped off to Johnny.”

  Julian whirls me around so fast, I go dizzy. He crashes his lips to mine and pries them open. His kiss is ravenous and angry and passionate all at once. I whimper as similar emotions whirl inside me. This man will be the death of me, and despite knowing that, I can only kiss him back. My fingers weave through his hair as we claw at each other, teeth biting and tongues swirling.

  When we finally break for air, Julian surrounds my waist with strong hands and rests his forehead against mine. Those intense eyes stare straight into my soul. In return, he offers me a view of his as well.

  He... he doesn’t want to hurt me. It’s as clear as his presence.

  My chest nears exploding.

  Our breathing is harsh. My lips are swollen and my heart is entangled in a foolish knot.

  “What did I tell you, Firefly?” He keeps one arm around my waist and reaches the other to clasp a hand around my neck. His thumb caresses the pulse point. “I told you that you’re screwed because I’m not letting you go. Not for Johnny or anyone else.”

  Stupid hope springs in my chest as I ask, “Not even for Mist?”

  “Not even for Mist.”

  My lips tremble. “Not even for Ghost?”

  His mouth twitches like he’s biting back a smile. “Not even for that fucking Ghost.”

  This time I can’t fight th
e tears, I punch his chest over and over again. One punch after the other. As if that will ease the chaotic feelings wreaking havoc in my heart. Julian takes every one of them even when I give it my all. I want to hurt him, to push him away so I will regain myself. Because I’m turning into someone I can’t recognise around him.

  He’s reshaping my world, my heart, and I don’t like it. I don’t like how I want to jump him and kiss him and punch him all at the same time. No human should make another feel this way.

  I’m strong. I can do this. Those words are starting to lose meaning when I’m around Julian. He shows me that perhaps I’m not that strong. Perhaps my strength is only hiding a deep weakness.

  And I loathe him for that.

  “I didn’t want this!” I shout, still hitting his chest and fighting the flowing tears and the emotions trying to sweep me south. “I didn’t want any of this! I hate you, Julian! I hate you so fucking much.”

  He imprisons my wrists in a strong hand and flings them behind my back. His lips brush against mine and he says against my lips in a rumble, “Then you’re going to hate me a lot more after I make you properly mine.”

  17

  Elle

  My heart and head are twisted in knots.

  Worse, both of them are led by my stupid body that’s completely enchanted with Julian’s.

  He cages my hand in his and drags me into the storehouse. There’s no way I will be able to untangle myself from his hold or to run the other way.

  A stupid part of me doesn’t even want to run away. A stupid part is blazing in foolish fireworks of thrill and excitement I’ve never felt. Not even in the fighting ring.

  Julian has been strangely quiet all the way here. He hasn’t said a word in the car or even looked at me. There’s been so much tension in his shoulders that I’ve been tempted to reach out and massage them.

  What’s wrong with him now? If it’s because of my angry episode in the park, then he didn’t show it earlier. Now, it’s like he’s come to an unpleasant realisation.

  Or perhaps, he was playing along with my anger earlier and it’s time for his own anger.

  My stomach drops. Does he think I actually hate him? It was a stupid ruse of the moment. If only I could bring myself to hate him. If I did, I wouldn’t be having these inexplicable feelings. I think I’m going insane because my fingers itch to console him. Even if he might still hand me over to Johnny.

  Kyle greets us at the entrance, carrying a bottle of cognac and smirking. He appears drunk and melancholic. “Ye’re back, love. Grand. Do you know how much Godfather – ”

  “Stop calling her ‘love’.” Julian cuts him off with a harsh glare.

  I offer Kyle an awkward smile, and he winks. My smile turns into a yelp as Julian places a hand behind my back, an arm under my legs, and carries me inside, bridal style.

  Shock reverberates through me at how much his possessiveness turns me on. This isn’t supposed to happen, right? Normal humans shouldn’t feel this way. But who am I kidding? Julian and I are as far away from normal as possible.

  My face heats and the insides of my thighs turn to jelly. I wrap my arms around his neck and hide my face in the crook of his shoulder.

  He kicks the door to the room open then shuts it behind us. My pulse leaps into my throat as he places me onto the bed. Instead of kissing me and satisfying the ache lodged deep within me, he towers over the bed. The darkness in his eyes sparks with punishing intensity. Lust is there, but it’s anger that stiffens his posture.

  “What were you thinking, Elle? When I told you to stay put, why didn’t you?” He grits out, then takes a deep breath as if to calm himself. “How can you fucking leave when Johnny’s men were right outside?”

  A shudder takes over my body at the thought. He’s right. Johnny’s men could’ve taken me. My voice comes out in a whisper. “I didn’t think about that. I only wanted to survive.”

  Julian is on me in a second. His hand wraps around my throat and his thumb presses on my pulse as if needing to feel my heartbeat.

  Hot breaths trickle along my skin as he says in that deep voice, “You will survive beside me. From now on, the word survival and Julian are synonyms. Is that fucking clear?”

  That ticks me off. I may be an idiot around Julian, but I would never be a gullible doll waiting for someone to save me. Anger bubbles inside me. It intertwines so closely with lust, I don’t know if I want to kiss him until I draw blood or bite his head off. Probably both. At the same damn time.

  “I can protect myself,” I grit out.

  “Not against those pigs.” The feral intensity in his eyes swallows me. “Let go, Firefly. Stop being tense and guarded around me. If I wanted to hurt you, I would’ve done it already.”

  He’s wrong. Julian is still able to hurt me in the worst possible way. He’s gotten under my skin, one way or another, and if I attempt to pluck him out, he would leave a shard. A permanent scar.

  That scares the hell out of me.

  I’m not supposed to let a mobster get this close. He’s slowly engraving himself into my heart and I hate that. I hate the vulnerability.

  But at the same time, I can’t deny him anymore. The tension is killing me. I can’t even look at him without turning into goo. Perhaps if I get him out of my system, everything will turn out for the better.

  I reach a tentative hand towards him, but he clutches it in his strong fist.

  Julian shakes his head. “First, say, ‘Yes, Julian. My survival will be with you.’ This isn’t a fucking game, Elle. I won’t have you parading around in danger’s way.”

  I bite my lower lip at the deep sincerity in his eyes. He does care. It’s clear in the anger he has about my carelessness. My heart tightens at the thought of betraying him. How would he react if he knew I was working for the Met Police?

  “Elle,” he enunciates my name in a warning.

  “Yes, Julian,” I whisper. “My survival will be with you.”

  A surprised yelp leaves me when he holds my nape and claims my lips. He tastes of the exploding passion whirling through me. The ravenous strokes of his tongue against mine cause a strangled moan to escape me. His raging erection presses against my lower stomach. In a silent plea to give us both what we want, I arch off the bed and rub my pelvis against him.

  Julian grunts. In one sweep, his bare hand shreds my dress open. The satin and lace turn into pieces as he fiddles with the bra. When it doesn’t come off, he rips it and my knickers free in pure caveman fashion.

  Holy. Hell.

  I’m dripping wet at the gesture. Is that supposed to turn me on this much?

  His blazing eyes rake over my naked body as if memorising every inch. My heart thunders, almost leaping out of my chest. I’ve never had a man look at me as if I were supper. Not ones that turned me into a mess like Julian, anyway.

  “I’m going to explode if I don’t get inside you, Firefly,” he rasps.

  My answer is fumbling with his belt. My level of urgency rivals his. In record time, he jerks his trousers and shirt free.

  My bottom lip rolls behind my teeth as I stare at the defined muscles of his chest. They ripple with each move. Those intricate tattoos and that fascinating warrior are so much Julian. He’s so lithe and agile. His masculine beauty always has me on my toes. He’s the most handsome, drool-worthy man I’ve ever laid eyes on.

  When he yanks his boxer briefs down, I suck in a breath.

  I don’t get to think because Julian is on me again. He spreads my legs and settles between them. Hot lips kiss their way up my throat, and he sucks my earlobe into his mouth. I writhe underneath him. My nipples throb as my thighs clench with need.

  His length slides up and down my folds. My stomach tightens. Pleasure builds with a tortuous rhythm.

  He reaches into the side table and fumbles until he finds packets. Condoms. I clutch his arm, stopping him.

  “I’m on birth control,” I say in breathless words. I want no barrier between us. I need to feel his skin against
mine.

  That apparently satisfies him, too, since his eyes fill with a ferocious hunger. He nibbles on the sensitive spot on my neck.

  I whimper as he says. “I’m clean, too, Firefly.”

  He pushes inside me. I stiffen and grow still, waiting for that dreaded moment.

  “So fucking tight.” Julian’s face twists between pleasure and pain. Then, resistance meets him and he stops. Like literally freezes. His huge body is hovering over mine, but he’s as blank as a board. For the first time since I met Julian, his eyes widen.

  I try to even my voice, but it comes out in a murmur. “It’s my first time.”

  His expression morphs into pure awe and scorching fire as he cages my face with both hands. “How the fuck is this your first time?”

  I shrug. “I didn’t find anyone I wanted to give it to before.”

  Pure lust and fiery possessiveness shine in the depth of his eyes. As if possible, he hardens further at my entrance as he grunts. “And you want to give it to me?”

  I bite the inside of my cheeks. “I do.”

  “Thank you.” The soft tone coupled with the merest brush of his lips against mine almost undoes me. “I will be good to you, Firefly.”

  And he is. Julian pulls back slowly. He takes his time kissing his way through my neck, kneading my breasts and rolling his hips ever so slowly and gently. I become a wanton mess. He slides his rock hard erection up and down my slick folds as if all the wetness seeping out of me isn’t enough.

  “Please, Julian,” I murmur, unable to take the torturous rhythm anymore. I’m about to reach out and put him inside me.

  “Please what?” His fingers find my clit, and I’m almost at that addictive place. “Say it in words, Firefly. Tell me what you want.”

  “Make me yours, Julian,” I’m breathless.

  As if my words struck a chord, Julian grunts and dives in. His eyes never leave mine. They’re darkened with feral lust and adoration as if mirroring my own emotions. There’s the slightest pain as he stretches me from the inside. But as soon as he keeps thrusting and teasing my bundle of nerves, the sensation fades away.